violet katherine, 7 lbs 1 oz, 19 inches, was born on saturday, september 18 at 8:48pm. we are so in love with her already and can't wait for you to meet her!
i finished work on friday and started having contractions around midnight. i tried to sleep but kept waking up two or three times an hour to the contractions. i finally got out of bed around 6am and started trying to time the contractions, but they were totally irregular - ten minutes, seven minutes, nineteen minutes. late morning, i went for almost a half hour with nothing, and annoyed, i asked kevin if we could take the dogs for a walk. the walk got the contractions going again, and i'm sure a few passersby were disturbed by the very pregnant woman leaning against the lamppost and doing yoga breaths.
the contractions started to get closer together, but i still assumed i was in false labor because of the irregularity. kevin launched into frantic baby prep mode and put together the baby's swing while i moved from couch to chair to exercise ball, finally realizing the contractions were seven, six, five minutes apart. my doctor said to go to the hospital when the contractions had been five minutes apart and one minute long for an hour. kevin loaded the car, and we left the dogs with their favorite treat, assuring them that they'd be forgiven for any accidents in the house if we were gone for long.
the 101 was jammed. about an hour later, we got to the hospital a little after 4pm. i insisted that i could walk from the parking structure, but we had to stop about seven times so that i could breathe through the contractions. again, i'm sure passersby were freaked. the nurse finally put us in a room and said she'd check me. "we left the bags in the car in case we don't get admitted," kevin said. after confirming that this was my first baby, she replied, "that was probably a good idea." but when she checked me, even she seemed surprised. 4-5 cm dilated, 90% effaced. after we answered a bunch of questions about my illegal drug habits and when i wanted the epidural ("as soon as possible"), they tried to get an IV into my hand twice without success. considering the circumstances, it's amazing how much that still hurt. "we'll move you to the other side first," one nurse said cryptically. "what's the other side?" i asked, assuming i was dying. "the labor rooms," she answered.
someone in the hall shouted congratulations to kevin as he ran alongside the gurney. that was a great movie moment. then came the bad news. the only anesthesiologist on the floor was prepping a woman for an emergency c-section and couldn't do my epidural until he was finished. "how long?" i asked. "soon," the nurse said. "okay, but how long?" i asked again. the nurses exchanged a look. "about thirty minutes," one said hesitantly.
kevin figured out right away how to read my monitor. as the pain got worse and the contractions got longer and closer together, he would tell me when they were peaking and then assure me they were coming down. that's what i'll remember most - his voice comforting me. every time i'd open my eyes, there was a weird sensation as things came back slowly into focus.
finally the anesthesiologist showed up after 7pm. i was dilated to 8cm. i sat on the side of the bed, curled forward while the nurse held me steady and i listened to all the potential side effects that i was risking for this drug. holding still through the contractions, my head braced against the nurse's boobs, was the scariest part, but ten minutes later, the relief was overwhelming. i love you, epidural.
kevin was probably as relieved as i was. i could still feel the contractions, but they didn't hurt anymore. our doctor wasn't on call for the weekend, meaning one of the other two doctors in the practice (both of whom i'd met and liked) would probably do the delivery, but she'd promised she'd try to come and was actually on her way! in a half hour, i was dilated to 9cm, then another half hour to 10cm! my doctor walked in to find me ready to push. just then my sister showed up from san diego, in time to hold my knee back with kevin. i'll spare you the gore and just say that i only had to push for about 15 minutes - officially the fastest delivery of the day. violet was born, and there aren't words to describe the experience as she was laid on my chest. amazing just doesn't cover it. kevin and i have hardly stopped staring at her since.
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